York's Arians introduced as new Arizona coach

The York High graduate was introduced as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Arians, 60, takes over at Arizona after serving as interim head coach this past season in Indianapolis where he directed the Colts to a 9-3 record and a spot in the NFL playoffs. Arians filled in for Chuck Pagano who underwent treatments for leukemia.

After the Colts's season ended, Arians began interviewing for head coaching positions.

The Cardinals selected him to turn around a team that went 5-11 last year and missed the playoffs.

"We've got somebody that wants to talk about accountability and hold people accountable and who believes in building a championship team," team president Michael Bidwell said.

"As I started talking with him and doing the interview process, what was clear is that he has a tremendous amount of experience. There wasn't a single thing that wasn't incredibly positive about Bruce Arians."

Arians thanked the Bidwell family for providing him with "this unbelievable opportunity."

"My wife, Christine (Christine Allen Arians is 1970 graduate of York Catholic), this is our 15th move in this journey. "I'm grateful to all the players and coaches I've come into contact with the past 37 years because relationship building is what coaching is. When you're a (coaching) lifer, you're a lifer, and I'm a lifer. I embrace this challenge. I can't wait to get started."

Arians was asked how emotional the whole process (hiring and press conference) was for him and his family.

Advertisement

"Well, I got through those first two lines, luckily. I don't mind showing emotion. I see it as a sign of strength not weakness."

Cardinals' general manager Steve Keim, a Red Land High School graduate, said the two words that, to him, describe Arians are passion and enthusiasm.

"You get in the film room with Bruce, and after one minute, you realize this guy forgot more football than most people know," Keim said. "His ability to create mismatches, his attention to detail when he starts talking about third down preparation, situational football, that's extremely exciting to me."

Arians' first task will be to put together a coaching staff. Ray Horton, the team's defensive coordinator last season, will not be returning in 2013.

"We're tirelessly right now talking to the guys here, get guys in," Arians said. "Hopefully, by Sunday, we'll have the entire staff filled. If not, we're going to jump on a plane and get to the Senior Bowl and start evaluating college players."

Arians', who was part of the coaching staff for two of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl championship years, said the goal is bring excitement back to the Arizona organization.

"A short time ago, this organization was 37 seconds away from the Super Bowl Trophy (the Cardinals lost to the Steelers). You've got to have some luck, but if you find a common cause and your locker room bonds, and you truly believe in each other, you've got a chance every week. If you play hard for 60 minutes, you' beat most teams."

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story